Kathryn Gauci writes gripping historical novels set in Europe, with a particular focus on Greece, France and Turkey. She researches her work in great detail, often travelling to the regions in question, and picks up many online awards. She posts regularly on Facebook and Instagram, and has racked up thousands of reviews and ratings on Goodreads. She is an excellent example of the value of persistence, networking, participation in the online communities relating to her genre and cross marketing of her books.
Using Fiverr to Promote Your Book on Amazon
If learning and managing all the intricacies of Amazon’s advertising engine in order to promote your book/s seems just too hard, perhaps you might consider hiring a consultant through the outsourcing websites Fiverr and Upwork. You can check reviews of each consultant’s work in order to see if any of them might be a good fit. Packages start at quite low rates, so you could experiment without committing huge amounts of money.
Bush Tragedies
Author Bill Poulos has been getting plenty of press for his excellent new book Bush Tragedies. Bill has been using Facebook and Instagram to good effect and tapping into his community connections.
https://arr.news/2023/09/01/new-release-bush-tragedies/
https://www.nswcountryandpicnicracing.com.au/former-racing-writer-launches-new-book/
https://www.netimes.com.au/2023/08/20/new-crime-book-from-moree-author-accidental/
Frank Burkett, The O'Connor Protocol and author websites
Author Frank Burkett has set up a simple, effective long-scrolling author wordpress website. The site includes a blurb, book thumbnail, author bio, an order form and some local context, and a comments capability. A navigation bar to go to different sections of the page abd back to the top would have been helpful, but perhaps was not an option for this build of WordPress.
Frank’s biography reads as follows:
Frank Burkett lives in tropical Queensland, which is the setting of his second novel, The O’Connor Protocol. His previous novel, View from the Clock Tower, was shortlisted in 2006 for the British Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger award. Although raised in Queensland, Frank has travelled extensively, including three years in the United Kingdom where he studied at the University of London for a Diploma in Dramatic Art. He spent three years in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where he worked in the field of land conservation. In 1980, back home, he completed a journalism major at the University of Queensland. Following a successful career in news media, he wrote and published The Tropical Son, a biography of country music singer Graeme Connors. Frank is now retired and working on his third book in which, once again, sugar cane, rainforests and coral reefs provide an exotic setting.
Available here and direct from the author. Published by Sid Harta Publishers.
K-Lytics
If you are serious about optimising your online presence as an author, K-Lytics is worth checking out. Their site asks the following rhetorical question:
“Do you want to sell more books, face less competition, and achieve a higher return on your publishing investments?”
Their paid market reports burrow into the details of hundreds of genres and micro-genres. Seeing the maths underneath the book markets is a bit disconcerting, but in a world governed by algorithms and visibility, these insights are essential. The specificity of some of the genres and sub-genres is almost comic: Scottish Romance (what about Scottish Time Travelling Romance?); Cosy Mystery; Urban Fantasy, etc.
“You do not have to be afraid of numbers. We will help you to understand and use them to your advantage.”
Learn about Amazon Algorithms for Free
“Amazon is more than just a retailer: it is a search engine as well as a book discoverability website. In fact, it’s the world’s leading search engine for books, where the majority of buyers go to find their next read.”
Reedsy is offering a short, free introductory course for those interested in using Amazon advertising for their books. The course covers the following topics:
The fundamentals of how the algorithms work
How to optimize your product page for the algorithm
How to pick the right categories and keywords
How to ascend the various lists on the Kindle store
The right way to launch your book
Australian Newsletter for Independent Authors
Thorpe-Bowker publishes an interesting newsletter on the independent publishing scene. Free subscription link here.
DIY renders of 3D book covers (free)
Boxshot invites users to upload their book cover and spine, then fiddle with a variety of controls to arrive at a striking 3D rendering of said cover. The basic offering is free, with a paid version offering more bells and whistles.
“This 3D book cover generator is constantly rendering a realistic book model with the pictures you loaded. Every time you move the camera or change a parameter — the rendering starts from the beginning. It may take some time for the noise to come away and you get a nice and clear 3D image.”
Angela Dawson Reports on Promotional Activities
Author of Red, Angela Dawson reports on her recent promotional activities and opportunities:
ABC Radio Melbourne: Angela Dawson publishes her novel Red - ABC
Plus, as well as Readings bookstores, I managed to get books into Dymocks, Camberwell after being part of a panel of authors presenting to a packed audience at Rivoli Cinemas, Camberwell, for their 'First Tuesday Book Club'. Catherine Deveny was one of them! Fun, but quite nerve racking! I got to speak for 15 mins, and afterwards we all sat in the foyer for book signings, like real authors!
I've entered lots of competitions, and so far have managed to get short listed in the Santa Fe Writers Project 2022 Literary Awards (27 selected out of 2000!)
This was their feedback:
Thank you for participating in the 2022 Literary Awards Program and, again, congrats on making it into the finalist lists! You beat out nearly 2000 manuscripts to get where you are.
While you did not make the winners' circle, your manuscript showed strong promise and shined through a rigorous judging process. Congratulations!
I'm still waiting for a few more comp results, some of which come out at the end of the year.
I have a few things I want to pursue - I've joined this FB page, which might help with getting some online traffic:
I even wrote a short blog today, after a massive hiatus!
There are definitely some great opportunities out there for writers to get their work critiqued. I found a few legitimate sites, including an American one which frequently has competitions with no entry fees - usually for short essays, poems. I'm on their monthly list for the newsletter. Their site states they are, 'One of the Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers'.
Winning Writers, Inc.
351 Pleasant Street Suite B PMB 222
Northampton, MA 01060-3998
USA
Her website can be found here.
Banner Day for Kathryn Gauci
Independent authors appearing at author events sometimes need additional branded material. Kathryn Gauci wanted her banners to stand out, featuring the covers, an atmospheric background, a selection of her awards and her web address. She kindly sent us a few photographs taken at a recent event.
Angela and her book on ABC Radio
Radio is an excellent medium for authors promoting their work — there is a significant overlap between readers and listeners (and a perfect overlap when it comes to audiobooks). Author Angela Dawson conducted a ten minute discussion with ABC presenter Jacinta Parsons.
During the depths of the pandemic Afternoons listener Angela J Dawson rang the talkback line and told Jacinta Parsons about the novel she was working on. Now the book, Red, is finished and published. Angela dropped into the studio for a chat about her humorous tale of a Top Gun obsessed pilot, and how she published it.
Maximizing Your Reach: Using Podcasts for Book Promotion
Guest Post contributed by Farlyn Lucas, Podcast Advertising.
Promoting your book can be a challenge. With the abundance of content available online, it can be difficult to get your book in front of the right people and generate buzz. This is where podcasts come in.
Podcasts have become increasingly popular, and there is no shortage of listeners. In fact, the number of podcast listeners increased by 15% during the COVID-19 lockdown in Australia, and an estimated 424.2 million listeners worldwide.
This presents a unique opportunity for independent authors and self-publishers to reach a wide audience and promote their books. With the right approach, podcasts can be an effective tool in maximizing your reach and promoting your book to a wider audience.
Benefits of Using Podcasts for Book Promotion
There are several benefits to using podcasts for book promotion. First, podcasts allow you to reach a targeted audience. You can connect with listeners who are already interested in your subject matter. This makes it more likely that they will be interested in your book as well.
Second, podcasts offer a more personal connection than other forms of marketing. When you appear on a podcast, you have the opportunity to talk directly to the listeners and engage with them in a way that is not possible with other forms of marketing. You can build trust with potential readers and increase the likelihood that they will purchase your book.
Third, podcasts can help to establish you as an expert in your field. When you appear on a podcast and share your knowledge and insights, you are demonstrating your expertise to the listeners. Through this, you can increase your credibility and build your reputation as an authority in your subject matter.
How To Get Started With Podcast Advertising
Podcast advertising can be a powerful tool for independent authors and self-publishers looking to promote their books and reach new audiences. Let’s cover the basics of how to get started with podcast advertising, including what you need to know, what to expect, and how to make the most of this promotional channel.
Step 1. Research Your Target Audience
The first step in finding the right podcasts for your book is to research your target audience. Consider who your book is written for and what their interests and hobbies are. What types of podcasts do they listen to? What topics are they interested in?
You can find podcasts that cater to their interests and may be more likely to feature your book.
Step 2. Research Popular Podcasts (or in your niche)
Next, look for podcasts in your niche or related to your book's topic. These podcasts are likely to have an audience that is interested in your book and may be more likely to share your book with their followers. You can use podcast directories such as iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher and search podcasts in your niche.
Another way to find podcasts for your book is to check out popular podcasts in your genre or niche. These podcasts may have a large following and a large reach, which can be beneficial for your book promotion.
Step 3: Determine Your Advertising Budget
Next, determine your advertising budget. Podcast advertising can range from a few dollars per episode to hundreds of dollars per episode, depending on the popularity of the podcast and the length of your ad. Keep in mind that podcast advertising can be more cost-effective than traditional advertising methods, so it's important to determine what you're willing to spend.
Step 4: Connect with Podcasters
Once you've identified a few podcasts that you're interested in advertising with, it's time to connect with the podcasters. This can be done through social media or email. Be professional and respectful in your approach and clearly explain how your book fits into their audience's interests. If the podcaster agrees to work with you, they will likely provide you with specific instructions on what you need to do next.
Step 5: Create Your Ad
Your ad should be concise, attention-grabbing, and memorable. Most podcast ads are around 60 seconds long, so be sure to make the most of that time. Consider using humor, storytelling, or a unique angle to make your ad stand out. If you're not confident in your ability to create an effective ad, consider hiring a professional to help.
Step 6: Launch Your Campaign
Once your ad is ready, it's time to launch your campaign. This is when you'll start hearing your ad on podcasts and reaching new audiences. It's important to track your results and make adjustments to your campaign as needed. This may include adjusting your ad, changing the podcasts you're advertising with, or adjusting your budget.
Popular Podcasts for Independent Authors and Self-Publishers
The Self-Publishing Show
Hosted by veteran indie author, Dave Chesson, this podcast is perfect for self-publishers looking to learn more about book marketing, book promotion, and book design. Dave covers a wide range of topics, from ebook formatting to advanced book promotion strategies, making it a valuable resource for any indie author.
The Creative Penn
Host Joanna Penn is a bestselling author and entrepreneur who shares valuable insights and advice on publishing, marketing, and entrepreneurship. She covers a wide range of topics, including book design, book marketing, and the business of self-publishing, making this podcast a must-listen for indie authors.
The Writer's Well
Hosted by multi-published author, Christine Stinson, this podcast provides tips and insights into the writing and publishing process. Christine covers a wide range of topics, including writing techniques, publishing options, and book marketing, making this podcast a valuable resource for any Australian author looking to publish their book.
The Author's Journey
Hosted by best-selling author, J.A. Mellon, this podcast provides practical advice and inspiration for self-publishers. J.A. covers a wide range of topics, from writing and editing to book marketing and promotion, making this podcast a must-listen for any Australian author looking to take their publishing journey to the next level.
Final Thoughts
Using podcasts for book promotion can be a highly effective way to reach new audiences and promote your book. With the right preparation and research, you can find the right podcasts and make the most of your appearances. The podcast industry has experienced substantial growth, providing numerous and dynamic opportunities for book promotion. Regardless of whether one is a self-published or traditionally published author, the integration of podcasts into a comprehensive book promotion strategy is highly recommended.
BookTok is Booking It
Addictive short video service TikTok might look like another nail in the coffin of traditional publishing, but there is a corner of that frenetic online realm that celebrates a love of reading. BookTok is a very popular and active sub-community on TikTok, an aggregation of accounts interested in books and reading. Books that achieve ‘buzz’ on Booktok often go on to very respectable sales, a development that the big publishers are acutely aware of and attempt to exploit. There is room in BookTok for savvy independent authors and several examples of impressive success. Wikipedia has a good summary with plenty of links.
Queen of the Crop: ‘The King of Rhye’ An Exercise in Promotion
In April 2022, I released my debut novel, ‘The King of Rhye,’ after a productive six months working alongside Sid Harta Publishers. It entered the world to a fair reception (for an untested indie author); though as anticipated, it did not smash any records or win any Nobel Prizes. Nearly a year later, it will be receiving a shot in the arm, with the imminent release of an audiobook likely to find another modest reader base.
By my own estimation, the true success of ‘The King of Rhye’ has been its permeation into various corners of cultural awareness. It has moved sideways, into several other forms of media, both auditory and visual, to create not so much a story as a multisensory experience. There now exists an official soundtrack of original music, produced for songs lifted directly from the story. A rich (and expanding) gallery of bespoke ‘canonical’ art adorns social media pages, clothes, other merchandise, the cover of vinyl records and the walls of my house. It is also soon to receive its second language publication, having been diligently translated to French. It is anticipated that the French version will hit the market later in 2023.
Not too bad, for a book less than one year old.
I attribute this ‘lateral progression’ to a combination of two main factors. The first: a consistent and front-loaded assault on selected social media. The second: an awareness of target audience, and a reasonable understanding of how best to capture that audience’s attention.
For completeness, it is worth highlighting that Lady Luck certainly played a role (I should have included her in Acknowledgements). One or two steps of the journey came courtesy of the right people stumbling over my work at the right time. I guess that is something that may or may not happen to any author, in their fledgling career.
A few words, then, about my approach to social media. I am now a man in my early forties. I am well aware that a plethora of social media platforms exist these days; every time I turn around, the youth of today have launched a new one (most of which, I’ll be honest, I don’t understand). I am most active on Facebook (being somewhere on the cusp of Gen X and Gen Y). As it turns out, my target demographic also use this as their go-to place for doomscrolling. Of course, I did know this before I started, so it was no accident that I chose Facebook as the main place to launch my campaign.
I also started early, which I think a lot of wannabe authors don’t think to do. They write their book, then they start trying to sell it to an audience. I started over a year before the eventual release date. I told people what I was aiming to do, what I hoped to achieve with it, and what they might expect from it. From humble beginnings, I built a following. Slowly. It still isn’t huge, but it has grown consistently. That takes time – there are almost no ‘overnight sensations’, despite the illusion.
I don’t pay for Facebook ads. That worked, exactly one time, right at the beginning. Eventually, the algorithm only shows your sponsored ads to people who already follow you. So, it was necessary to use other platforms to increase exposure that way. I have a Reddit presence (useful), an Instagram page (quite useful), a LinkedIn profile (useless) and am dabbling in YouTube – which has the potential to be the most useful of all, if I actually had the time to produce a series of videos.
I’m aware that TikTok can work, but I’m horrible at dances, so I’ll leave it alone.
Next, to discuss target audience. One might say that I had the advantage of being able to ride on the coattails of one of the world’s largest rock music fandoms, in finding people who might pay attention to my book (‘The King of Rhye’ is an ode to the wonderful music of Queen). But it is more complicated than that: linking your work to an existing cultural phenomenon only works if you also know how to harness the connection.
It needed to be clear in my language, in my visual style, and in the way I presented my project, that I understand what fans love about the band. I also needed to reach for the stars themselves, and see just what support I might be able to garner from the inner sanctum. I contacted Queen, via the International Fan Club. Whilst guitarist Brian May has been too busy with the endless stream of commitments, I did learn that he is generous and willing to embrace the efforts of fans to further Queen’s legacy. He did offer to help promote ‘The King of Rhye’; an offer that was seen by many, and not only gave me a boost of confidence, but also gave the project credibility in the eyes of others.
To broaden the potential reader base, I had to also emphasise that this is not just a book for Queen fans. It is at its heart, a fantasy epic in the ‘Hero’s Journey’ tradition. To that end, I became involved in a number of online fantasy author groups, getting involved in discussion as often as I could; helping other budding authors with editing, and taking opportunities to introduce myself and what I was doing in return. It all helped.
Once ‘The King of Rhye’ was finally released, I focused my attention in again, to invest some energy in my local community. I live in a town of strong social connections, so I found that pursuing radio interviews and a showing at the regional library was also beneficial. Word of mouth travels quickly.
To speak of ‘people stumbling over my work at the right time’: the Queen connection brought British illustrator Luc Hudson, and French musicians Louis Henry Chambat and Thibaut Sergeant (‘Fat Bottomed Boys’) into my sphere of awareness. They introduced themselves to me; gentlemen in completely separate walks of life, on the far side of the world, due to a shared interest and a united sense of purpose. They found me because I made my mission statement clear, and because I highlighted the strengths of my work – the worldwide love for a classic rock band.
Where has all of this gotten me? I travelled to Europe in late 2022, to present my book at a convention. I built more of an audience. Demand for a follow-up has swelled. Certainly, another story was in the offing; but now that promotion has produced momentum, I draft my second novel knowing that a hum of anticipation already builds.
I have loved this journey. It has been worth every moment of effort.
Craig Mulhall
‘The King of Rhye’ © 2022 Sid Harta Publishers
Books Go Social service for Independent Authors
Books Go Social occupies a niche I have been interested in for a while — helping independent authors unfamiliar with social media to promote their books.
They offer:
Assistance with Amazon advertising
Editing of book descriptions
Netgalley campaigns
Assistance with email campaigns
Facebook advertising
Focus on the UK and US markets only, the two largest English speaking markets
According to their introduction: “Our Amazon and Facebook Ads for authors have received over three hundred million impressions (views) by readers. You will reach more readers with us. We advertise books on Amazon US and UK and have 11 Twitter accounts with 450,867 real followers (Nov, 2021 count). We also can email your book offers to 150,000+ readers. And our YouTube channel has 1,000+ followers who can see any book trailer or video interview you send us.”
“We know where the most effective places to run ads are for your book, and how to build your long-term monthly royalties and your career as a writer.”
Google Reviews are generally positive, and the business responds to comments. A representative sample: “I've used Books Go Social the past few years for a number of services, and they consistently over-deliver. The Books Go Social team is fast and efficient at helping authors figure out how to move their books into the marketplace and get them selling.”
The package prices are not exorbitant, and may be worth trying when you have done your due diligence…
Writer Event with Francesca Di Pietro
Author of Life with a Psychopath Francesca di Pietro will be speaking on a writers panel at Carrum Downs Library, Thursday, 16 February 2023 | 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM
“Each author from different genres, coming together to discuss their latest works, as well as answer questions about how they came to be writers, the publishing process and where their passions lie.”
“Franca DiPietro:
Francesca Di Pietro was born and raised in Melbourne where she continues to reside with her family. Francesca completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree with majors in Professional Writing and Editing and Communication Studies.
Francesca has a passion for storytelling, especially tales which highlight the dark side of human nature, manipulative and aberrant behaviour. Francesca is a night writer which is when her creativity shines.
Franca will be talking to us about Life with a Psychopath, her first full length novel.
Books will be available to purchase on the night. “
The author also has an account on Instagram.
Jenny Wellington on ABC Radio
Jenny Wellington, author of the very entertaining novel Damengin, was interviewed on ABC Sunshine Coast — audio below.
“Damengin is a country town in Queensland weighed down by the worst drought in living memory and its inhabitants are all desperately waiting for government drought relief.
The bad news is that the funds have been sent and spent by Council's Shire Clerk Shifty Grey and his corrupt cohorts.
This is a rollicking fast-moving story about political skulduggery, greed, love and lust. It features outrageous characters, blossoming romances, pathos and importantly, has an incredibly happy ending.”
“A lovely Aussie story that everyone can relate to. Loved reading the book right from the start. I could hear the author reading the story to me at the start and as I got further into the book, wrapped into the characters of the story, I couldn’t put the book down as I sat in on the edge of my chair wondering what was going to happen next.”
The Self-Inflicted Decline of Academic Publishing
Ted Gioia writes in disbelief at a sector of the publishing industry with an apparent death wish.
“Scholars are smart, so why are they letting this happen to their books?”
Plantea in Posterum exhibition by Ellen Hansa
Ellen Hansa, author of the excellent Dante’s Trunk is holding an exhibition of her botanically-themed ceramic art. She writes that the “opening of my exhibition was quite amazing filled with stories, poetry and song.”
‘Plantea in Posterum’, plants of the future, was a challenge which kept me busy for almost 12 months. Usually I make my work to be put into a garden, threading the pieces onto star pickets which are securely hammered into the ground. I had to devise a way to be able to display my work in a gallery as well as in a garden or on a patio. On top of that everything had to fit into my car and I had to be able to lift the pieces. The sculptures can be dissembled for easy transportation.
My ceramic career started over 50 years ago, when I fell in love with clay and its possibility to mould it into all kinds of shapes. Pots, tiles and sculptures, I made it all. All these items I start by drawing the shapes and working out the colours. Only then I begin with the modelling, the firing and the glazing. For this exhibition my inspiration came from my garden.
The exhibition will continue until December 11. Edge Galleries are open weekends 11am-3pm
Life With a Psychopath Talk with Franca di Pietro
Franca will be discussing her thought-provoking novel “Life With a Psychopath” at Mornington Library.
Details as follows:
Recommended for adult audiences
Francesca Di Pietro has a passion for storytelling, especially tales which highlight the dark side of human nature, including manipulative and aberrant behaviour.
Her debut novel, Life with a Psychopath tells the story of a young Italian woman, who enters into a relationship beset by racism, manipulation, and physical and verbal abuse with the charming and charismatic Shaun.
Carmella will not be beaten by Shaun’s behaviour and brings female empowerment to a new level. A compelling and gripping story of triumph, highlighting how victims of violence and abuse can overcome adversity by reaching out to those around them.
Join us at Mornington library where we are supporting 16 Days of Activism to end gender-based violence.
Tuesday, 29 November 2022 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Mornington Library, Vancouver Street, Mornington, 3931
The talk is free. Bookings here.